Fiji, an island country in the South Pacific and east of Australia, is about a 10-hour flight from Hong Kong.
It is not a popular tourist destination for non-Hong Kong people, nor is it a developed country, so it may be quite unfamiliar to ordinary Hong Kong people.
A Hong Kong-made pilot decided to leave his wife and children temporarily under the epidemic, and went to Fiji alone to continue his dream of being a pilot. He also used the alias "Desert Island Pilot" on the Internet to tell about his experience of "reclaiming wasteland" in Fiji, hoping to become a role model for his children. , and also inspire the industry to pursue their dreams.
Going to Fiji alone, "Desert Island Pilot" formerly known as Timmy recently crossed the ocean to accept a telephone interview with "Hong Kong 01".
He said that since the outbreak of the epidemic two years ago, he was forced to say goodbye to the sky, and he "changed careers" to take up other jobs in the middle, but he felt lost and determined to continue his dream of flying.
With the local aviation industry close to being frozen, it is not easy to go to other places to find opportunities or a way out. It is not easy to part with his wife and children. Timmy admitted that he was hesitant and struggled, but in the end, it was his wife who persuaded him to go to Fiji. It's purely about money, but in fact, it's something you really like to do, and if you talk to your children in the future, it's something you can enjoy just like your father."
"Desert Island Pilot", formerly known as Timmy, is a native of Hong Kong. He is 33 years old this year. He is married and has two sons aged four and two.
Timmy aspired to become a pilot since he was a child. He witnessed the last day of the operation of Kai Tak Airport when he was a child. He majored in mechanical engineering in college and worked as an intern at Boeing. After graduation, he applied for the trainee pilot training program (cadet) of a local airline. Recorded, officially launched the pilot career.
First arrived in Fiji in early 2020, was fired and returned to Hong Kong under the epidemic
At the end of 2019, due to personal and family reasons, Timmy left the original company and decided to go abroad. At that time, he applied for different airlines, including Fiji Airways.
He said with a smile that he didn't know anything about Fiji at that time, and he didn't even know that there was a direct flight to Hong Kong.
At that time, Timmy was actually accepted by other airlines. If Taiwan Airlines planned to hire him, but Fiji Airways provided him with more holidays to allow him to return to Hong Kong to live, and he could fly familiar Airbus models, so he decided to join Fiji Airways.
▼Timmy's current Fiji Airways ▼
+3
However, things will always exceed expectations. After being hired that year, Timmy faced the epidemic of the century immediately. Fiji Airways, like a local airline, fired a large number of staff, and Timmy was not immune.
With the global aviation industry slump, he had to return to Hong Kong to land. For the next two years, he has been living in Hong Kong. He has worked in government contracts, and he has also established a joint venture logistics company with friends in the aviation industry, but even if he has a stable job, he can still spend time with his family. , still can not forget the feeling of soaring the sky.
After being grounded for two years, the flight attendant's wife persuaded to return to Fiji.
In the past two years, the international aviation industry has recovered one after another. Fiji Airways intends to re-employ pilots when it resumes flights. However, Hong Kong has not been able to spread its wings due to the epidemic prevention policy.
Timmy, who has been in "Broken Wings" for two years, knows that the longer the grounding time is, the harder it will be to fly outside in the future, and he may not be hired; but on the other hand, the second son was also born in the epidemic, Timmy hopes to continue to accompany the two sons to grow up, "Myself Relatively good focus on children's growth, two children may be more important, more important than goals and ideals."
▼Timmy Fiji's life photos▼
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While struggling, his wife, a flight attendant, persuaded Timmy to return to Fiji.
He recalled that in the past two years, he had been lost and questioned his self-worth. "Except to meet the financial needs, in fact, I was not happy at all."
At this time, his wife said to him, "It's a matter of money and money. In fact, pursuing you is something that you really like to do. If you talk to your children in the future, please listen to your children, and talk to your father about your own enjoyment." .
Then Timmy's wife asked:
"If one day, I really want you to go back and fly, you put aside the reasons for your family, and feel that the two boys really need you by your side. When you have nothing to do today, what do you want to do the most?"
Timmy:
"I think that when I'm sitting in the office, what I want most is that I can continue to fly. When you ask yourself what you want to be the most, the answer is this. "
Finally, the wife gave Timmy a boost:
You go, in short, you can rest assured, I will watch it.
Timmy wife
Timmy said frankly that he had mixed feelings at the moment: "There are so many things, big and small, I really want to be able to do it, go to see the housing company, or there are so many things I want to do by myself, but it's when he (wife) tells me, and then Once I was asked to return to this city (Fiji), I was so conflicted, because I felt that you really supported me.”
Returning to Fiji alone, thinking about family video conversation
As a result, with the support of his wife and relatives, Timmy returned to Fiji in recent months, and was trained to fly again and continue to serve as a "desert island pilot".
Without his family to accompany him, he could not hear the crying of the child in the house, only the sound of the plane taking off and landing. He admitted that he misses his family very much, and affected by the epidemic, Fiji Airways has suspended flights to and from Hong Kong. more time money.
He pointed out that he has been looking for a way to return to Hong Kong, even if it is just a few days.
Due to the four-hour time difference, he had to use his free time to make video calls with his family. A few days ago, the eldest boy's fourth birthday was celebrated in space, and he took family photos on the phone screen.
Timmy's eldest birthday a few days ago, he celebrated and took photos through a video call.
(respondents provided photos)
When "One Branch" arrived in Fiji, Timmy was in Nadi City, where the local airport is located. It is not a metropolis, but more about sunshine and beaches. Life is completely different from Hong Kong.
There is no subway, and due to religious reasons, it is difficult to buy pigs and beef. There are only a handful of Hong Kong people in the city, but I am glad that life is not difficult to adapt to.
Timmy said that Fiji has a warm and dry climate and can communicate in English, and there are also Chinese, Japanese and Korean restaurants.
He also pointed out that the pace of life in the area is also slower, and the overall law and order is acceptable, and he has not felt any discrimination problem for the time being.
▼Meal in Fiji▼
+7
Worrying about children's study pressure, plan to immigrate to Australia with family
Talking about the future, will you return to Hong Kong for development in the future?
Timmy said that even though local airlines are now recruiting new staff, there is still no time for a return to flying, or there are only a few flying opportunities. At this moment, he hopes to return to the sky as soon as possible.
As for future development, he will put his family first, admit that he has plans to immigrate, and consider living in Australia with his family, which is one of the reasons for his return to Fiji.
He has been educated in Hong Kong since he was a child, and believes that the Hong Kong education system is under too much pressure, and the competition for preschool classes is already fierce. He hopes that children can receive a more open foreign education.
In addition, Australia is close to Fiji, and his son also loves nature. He hopes that in the future, in addition to experiencing the city life in Australia, the child can go to Fiji to experience the island life of nature every year.
▼ Timmy's residence in Fiji▼
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If the immigration plan does not go as expected, or the family ultimately prefers to stay in Hong Kong, Timmy pointed out that he will indeed consider returning to Hong Kong for development; but if he successfully arrives in Australia, he believes that he will continue to work in Fiji Airways. The flight takes only three hours.
He said bluntly: "In the future, the development of personal career will not be aimed at having a good package or having a good manpower. The transfer will really be based on the needs of the housing enterprises or their plans."
Timmy had to get up for training before it was light, and one day saw the scene of the stars and the sunrise.
Although life is hard, the scenery of Fiji can be comforting.
(respondents provided photos)
Message to the aviation industry: you can continue to be brave to chase your dreams
The "Desert Island Pilot" page wrote: "As a father of two children, I hope that I can prove that even if the people around you stand in your way, you can drive your own way."
It was the first time he "lost" Fiji and returned to Hong Kong, and then returned to the old place. Timmy hoped to "complete the road that was not completed two years ago", and at the same time sent a message to the aviation industry that even if the epidemic is difficult, he "can continue to be brave and pursue our dreams." .
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